Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-01-01
SCHOOL LAND FRAUDS.
Over 100000 Saved to the State of
Kansas

Over 100000 Saved to the State. o
Kansas
| TOPEKA KAN, December 28.-Attorne,
General Bradford has been very active in tn,
matter of putting stop to the whole sal,
stealing of school lands, which has been
going Oh in Kansas for some time past.
Touching this matter Mr.. Bradford, in hi.
forthcoming report to Governor John A.
Martin, will say:
| Soon after came into flee, in January
1885, was informed by various parties ".
| ing in the western counties of the state, that
fraud was being perpetrated in the sale oil
| school lands. I gave the matter my i'm
mediate attention. In Ellis county I found
thpt $1,000 acres of land had been advertised
for sale upon petitions presented regul .rly
| upon their face, fraudulent in fact.
In this way every acre of school land re
naming unsold in Ellis county was adver-
tised to be sold, after being appraised at So
per acre, at the same time being worth from
81 to Sc per acre.
The syndicate formed for the purchase of
these lands would have purchased for So all
of these lands. The eale was epjoined. The
land subsequently all sold to actual settlers
at profit to the state of So, Zoo.
Like frauds have been perpetrated in
Pratt county, Kansas, long prior to my COM
ing into Office. commenced proceeding
in the district court of Pratt county to set
aside the contracts made for the sale of
4,640 acres.
Upon investigation find that in Kinney
county 125,00O acres had been advertised
pursuant to petitions presented in like
manner to the petitions in Ellis county,
which sale I also caused to be abandoned.
1 have directed suits to be brought in var
iUus other of the western counties of the
state, and have recovered large tracts of land
from the clutches Of the syndicates and
spectators, which have since been sold to
actual settlers.
It is safe to say that have saved to the
state by reason of the several actions
brought and finally determined, about
$500, 600 at an expense to the state not to
exceed 1,OOO to 81 200.
To successfully prosecute these cases eX-
pense has been, and necessarily will have to
be incurred, for which some appropriation
ought to be made, the amount of which /
have not,ascertained, owing to the fact that
the cases are still undetermined. Should
the cases be successful an additional 800
OCO will be saved to the permanent school
fund, and in my judgement, the state can
we'll afford to appropriate $l,SOO or $1,000,
defray the expense.
After the experience have and the inves-
igation have made, think / am safe in
saying that the permanent school fund of
Kansas has lost at least 81 600, 600 for want
Of proper attention to the sale of school
aDds.
Under the law prior to the amendment of
1886, frauds could be perpetrated and the |
thereof be beyond possible |
hiding out As the Law now Is school lands |
n unrecognized counties of tho state can
,ot be sold until three years after the coun-
y becomes organized. Settlers upon school |
ands must reside thereon six months and |
lave at least 500 in lasting improvements |
lpon the land before he IL allowed 70 pur-
'nase and N addition thereto he must Gat-
~ tho probate court that he he's not hese-
moro purchased school land, and that q II /
.antsd b him IN good faith @ home lar
l&nee8 and family.